A closer look ‘Huge opportunity’: 22nd Street plans revived

TheresaMcManus tmcmanus@newwestrecord ca

NewWestminster is relaunching a visioning process for the 22nd Street SkyTrain station area after previous efforts were put on hold because of the pandemic and staffing challenges

During the 2017 update to the official community plan, the City of NewWestminster identified the area around the 22nd Street SkyTrain station as a place that could accommodate higher density

In response to the city’s declaration of a climate emergency in 2019, council later endorsed a plan to create a “bold vision” for a climate-friendly, transit-oriented development around the SkyTrain station

Planning work related to this neighbourhood has been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and staffing shortages and pandemic workload impacts.

But in a June 12 report to council, staff sought council’s direction on the relaunch of the visioning process for the neighbourhood

‘CLOSER COLLABORATION’ WITH FIRST NATIONS

The report noted staff had reached out to First Nations, in anticipation of relaunching the project in 2023, to gauge the level of interest in participating in the project.

“Early expressions of interest from several First Nations communities have created an opportunity to explore closer collaboration with them in this planning process, and embed reconciliation as a fundamental project focus along with climate-resilience aspirations,” said the report.

Council unanimously approved a recommendation directing staff to proceed with the proposed 22nd Street station area bold vision process, with a dual focus on First Nations collaboration and building climate resilience.

The report outlined some of the work that’s been happening with this process, including engaging a consultant with experience in running “ideas competitions” and neighbourhood planning processes, exploring potential collaborations with Simon Fraser University and engaging with First Nations about their interesting in being involved in the process

The first step in the visioning process is to collaborate with First Nations Subsequent steps include inviting submissions on how to achieve the project’s goals (an ideas challenge), evaluating and shortlisting ideas, developing the ideas and concepts, presenting a vision to council and community members, and implementing the vision.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

According to the report, the next steps are to engage First Nations to better understand how they wish to participate in the process and to seek their feedback on the preliminary plan of running an ideas challenge and visioning process through 2023 and 2024.

Coun Nadine Nakagawa said she’s excited about the idea of having First Nations engagement and a climate focus for the neighbourhood

“I think there’s a lot of components of it that are really exciting,” she said “It’s a huge opportunity for the city. So we do want to get it right, and we do want to ensure that it’s meeting all community members’ needs People in the area, obviously, it’s very, very important to them But other community members also will want to use any ameni- ties that show up in that neighbourhood as well ”

Councillors Clash

Coun Daniel Fontaine said Connaught Heights residents will be excited to see the process get underway He said he hosted a forum in April about densification in Connaught Heights, which was attended by close to 100 residents

“I would love to see us move as quickly as we can.The residents have been waiting a long time.They’re excited about this. I’m excited about it,” he said. “I think this is a huge opportunity for us to revitalize the neighbourhood, build more affordable housing, build the diversity of housing in that community, and do it all within a transit-oriented development.”

Coun Ruby Campbell said she supports the approach recommended by staff, priotizing Indigenous engagement and climate resilience

“Planning communities using this approach is principled, and really sits better with me than the meeting that was held back in April hosted by a real estate agent, and a councillor here has just mentioned that they hosted it, who’s working with developers’ interests in mind,” she said

Fontaine called a “point of order,” saying the comments weren’t factual as he hosted the event on his own

Rewording her concerns, Campbell said the meeting was attended and promoted by a real estate agent who is working with developers She noted the meeting was held at a city facility and advertised on the city’s website.

“How is the city going to differentiate that meeting from the process, knowing that there is a lot of confusion, and sometimes fatigue, around consultation?” she asked. “You know, sometimes people don’t come out twice. And so I just want to make sure … how are we going to ensure residents understand which is the legitimate consultation process ”

JackieTeed, acting director of climate action, planning and development, said that’s something staff could consider as they move forward with the application.

Fontaine took exception to the suggestion that the meeting he hosted was not legitimate. He said nearly 100 community members “were incredibly appreciative” of the fact an elected official wanted to hear from them

“There were people in that room who did not want the 22nd Street master plan to go ahead and there were people, a lot of them, who did. But it’s my role as an elected official to hear from people, and that’s an opportunity for me to do it; I did it,” he said.

“And I just want it to be clear, YourWorship, because I don’t want it left in the public’s mind that somehow what I did was illegitimate, or that I was somehow hosting or co-hosting this with a real-estate developer ”

Mayor Patrick Johnstone expressed concern that the discussion was going to get into a “two-way dialogue that’s probably not productive at all.”

He said the concern raised related to starting a public process when an event that wasn’t part of that process has already been held.

“I think there was some question about clarifying that these two processes are separate so people don’t feel like, ‘Well, I’ve already engaged in that, I don’t want to engage in this thing.’ I think the question was about the division between the two processes,” he said.

“And maybe we’ll leave it at that I think we should cool off ”

Free Street Occupancy Permit For Block Parties

Foster community life and connect with your neighbours in a safe, fun, and respectful way by hosting a block party on your street! Each local street is eligible for ONE FREE street occupancy permit per year Visit newwestcity.ca/block-parties for all the info on how to organize a block party.

Notice Respecting Zoning Amendment Bylaw

Under sections 464(2) and 467 of the Local Government Act

MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2023 AT 6:00 PM

Meeting held electronically and open to public attendance in Council Chamber, City Hall

ZONING AMENDMENT BYLAW NO. 8402, 2023 FOR 1032 & 1036 ST. ANDREWS STREET

Rezoning and Development Permit applications have been received for 1032 and 1036 St. Andrews Street

A total of 12 side-by-side, ground-oriented infill townhouse units are proposed across two buildings, which are 2- to 3-storeys with an overall Floor Space Ratio (FSR) of 1.00 All of the proposed units would be family-friendly, containing three bedrooms, and stratified. The development proposes 12 resident parking spaces and one visitor space

Long-term bicycle storage would be provided for each unit, as well as four short-term bicycle spaces, per Zoning Bylaw requirements. The proposal would rezone the properties from Single Detached Residential Districts (RS-1) to the site-specific Comprehensive Development District (1032 & 1036 St Andrews Street) (CD-98). The rezoning application is consistent with the Official Community Plan, and in accordance with sections 464(2) and 467 of the Local Government Act, the Corporation of the City of New Westminster will not hold a public hearing on Zoning Amendment Bylaw No 8402, 2023.

HOW DO I GET MORE INFORMATION?

From June 15 to June 26, 2023, the proposed bylaw and related material are available for inspection at Legislative Services, City Hall 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday, and online at: newwestcity.ca/publicnotices

HOW CAN I BE HEARD?

Submissions to Council are welcome and encouraged, including written submissions by email, post, or by dropping off at the mailbox on the north side of City Hall.

Phone: 604-527-4523 Legislative Services Department, Email: clerks@newwestcityca 511 Royal Avenue, New Westminster, BC V3L 1H9

City Council will consider giving first, second and third readings to Bylaw No 8402, 2023 at its meeting on June 26, 2023. The meeting will be open to public attendance and broadcast live on the City’s website It can be viewed by going to newwestcity.ca/council and clicking on either the meeting ID or the Council meeting in the calendar

Peter DeJong, Corporate Officer